Replaced Fluval 205 With A New 206

[Gvilleguy]

My Fluval 205 lasted two years before developing a leak that I could not resolve. Since I was pinched for time, I replaced it with the latest version, the Fluval 206. It is practically identical to the 205, except that the plastics have mostly changed colors. Other than color and slight shape changes, I did not really see much different.

When I have time I will try to fix the leaky 205 in order to keep it as a reserve, emergency filter.

Pictures:

New pump on the left:


IMG_3895 by Gvilleguy, on Flickr

206 unboxed:


IMG_3896 by Gvilleguy, on Flickr

Tranferred existing media to the 206 - everything fit just fine: (new red sponge holder on the left, the old grey one on right)


IMG_3897 by Gvilleguy, on Flickr

New media trays filled up. I liked the look/function of the black sponge on the left, so I kept that as new media, on the bottom tray. The other two I filled with my existing, cycled pellets:


IMG_3899 by Gvilleguy, on Flickr

And this shot shows the new, clear/white intake tube on the left. On the right I used the existing diffuser system rather than the 206 outflow spout. But the 206 tubes are the same 5/8" diamater as the tubes I used on the 205.


IMG_3904 by Gvilleguy, on Flickr

 

[Malawi MaD]

My 205 has just started leaking to, not sure if its the seal. I know it leaks when the water overflows slightly into the gaps where the seal sits. Ive had nothing but trouble with the fluval filters but notice the new range of filters look much more sturdy with the connections to the filter lid. I always find when you push down on grey leaver it feels like its going to snap.

 

[MBOU]

Most of the things they changed were 'small niggly little things' that were faults on the previous range... as expected... its an upgrade rather than brand new filter after all

The seals are betters, the aqua stop (lever and pipe conections) has changed style and is a lot more sturdy (the old ones snapped easily!), the primer has changed completely but the bit thats changed is mostly inside so you can't see it so much but it honestly has... the impeller cover has also been changed (both material and design) so the clips dont keep snapping and it also supports the impeller far better (so less broken impellers) and also changed the way the flow goes through the filter.

I think the main colour change etc is Hagen (fluval) trying to 'keep up with the times' andmake the filter look newer and more modern. Because all their fixes were small and inside the filter, they had to change something on the outside or their advertisements wouldnt look that great

I really hate fluval filters and have had nothing but problems with their flimsy build and yet havent had one single problem with the new range, i actually cant fault them! Well... i still prefer tetratecs and aquamantas etc purely on te basis that they have far more media capacity....